State Tournament Roundup: Mulberry Upset By Acorn

The Lady Yellowjackets were upset in the first round of the Class A State Tournament on Tuesday by Acorn, 62-45, in Bradley.

Mulberry played Saturday, Sunday and Monday on its way to the regional tournament title at County Line. With seniors Kelsey Marvin, Kealsie Frazier, Brittany Edwards and Karlee Henson making their third consecutive trip to state, Mulberry entered as one of the favorites.

“Legs got us,” Mulberry coach Adam Carlton said. “Didn’t shoot the ball very well. I don’t know, but playing four games in four days eventually caught up to us. We got it down to two but couldn’t get it closer. They kept getting buckets.”

Mulberry had beaten Acorn earlier in the regular season.

Marvin finished with a team-high 19 points. She was the only player in double figures.

“It’s tough to have that loss for those seniors,” Carlton said. “Been in that situation over and over again. Tough to take.”

County Line 46, Emerson 43

BOYS — County Line nearly gave up a 14-point lead, but held off Emerson late in the first round of the Class A State Tournament.

The Indians will play the winner between Calico Rock and Sacred Heart at 2:30 p.m. Friday. It’s a much-needed break for County Line, which played three games in the last three days and made the drive from Branch to Bradley early Tuesday morning.

“I thought (we) were a bit dead-legged. Our defense wasn’t quite as sharp as the last couple nights,” Brunson said. “Games in four nights of the last five, plus a long bus ride, I kind of expected it.”

County Line went on a 21-6 run during the second and third quarters behind three 3-pointers from Justin Gattis and another from Hunter Wilson. The Indians built the lead to 32-18 before Emerson began to rally with fullcourt pressure.

Smith hit a 3 for Emerson with 40 seconds left that trimmed the County Line lead to just one. Gattis hit a pair of free throws to build it back to three.

On Emerson’s next possession, DeMarcus Jones appeared to hit a game-tying 3 with 10 seconds left. But it didn’t count as Emerson’s coach had just called a timeout from the sidelines. Mug Smith missed on one final attempt with three seconds left and County Line held on for the win.

“I just told them (in the time out) we need to get a stop. Get out, contest the shooter and get a stop,” County Line coach Joe Brunson said. “In the state tournament, you’re going to play some pretty good teams.”

The two-day break should help in fatigue recovery, plus give Gattis some extra time to continue getting his ankle, which he hurt in the first round of regionals, healthy.

“It can do nothing but help us,” Brunson said.

Wilson finished with 17 points for County Line, while Gattis added 14.

3A State Tournament

Charleston 67, Centerpoint 49

BOYS — Less than 24 hours after beating Cedarville for the regional championship on Monday, the Tigers were on the road to the 3A State Tournament at Riverview High in Searcy.

Charleston played Centerpoint in the late game in the first round and won handily, 67-49. Charleston will play the winner of the Earle-Little Rock Episcopal game at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

Hamilton Newhart hit 3-pointers on the Tigers first three possessions and the Tigers never trailed. Newhart had 14 points and Matthew Ward had 24 for Charleston (22-3).